Corpusfishing.com

[PatriotP74]

EDIT to put current questions at the top because i know how time consuming it can be to read and see whats been answered etc!! Original post will follow!

At this time i know my set up as far as rod reels, ill be buying some 20lb braid line to put on them, so any suggestions on best kind/brand?

Night fishing, a few of us want to do a night fish meaning either stay late into the night 2-3 am or get up and start fishing at 2-3 am what would be the better option? Getting out on the south jetty at night is honestly what we would like to do, will fishing there be just as good as if we went and set up on the HC pier?

As far as jetty fishing in general at any time is it the same or better/worse than the pier?

When fishing the jetty what is the best way, my instinct is to go all the way to the end and cast as far as i can into the ocean haha is it better to cast towards the channel, out into the ocean, or into the ocean but the beach side of the jetty? and is it like i assume cast as far as you can? haha

Now another thing is the rigging, what does everyone use as far as leaders, and bait rigging? just a simple weight, leader, hook, and throw? or any special ways to set it up? Ive read a little about a lemon rig?

From all the reading ive done so far, looks like mullet will be the best bait, now from there is the best way to just cut them and put em on the hook or do you fish with them live? Lets say no mullet available because its spring break and the shops are sold out what is my next best option i dont mind getting in the beach and rocks looking for crab etc!

Last question i can think of for now (sorry for so many) I know the main fish i see that get caught are Redfish, Black drum, trout, sharks, rays, and jack? the cool one with the yellow fins (gah i know that has to sound horrible to you guys that fish this all the time but im still learning names!)
For each of those fish is the general set up going to be the same hook with mullet on it and its just the luck of whoever gets the bait first?

Gonna be hitting up a few stores this weekend to get some tackle as well. will update when questions get answered or if i have more!

And ill keep on reading everything i can find!



ORIGINAL Post:

Hi everyone, my name is Price, I am a member of another fishing forum but for a local lake(local to me at least) Im from north Texas around lake Lavon if anyone is familiar. Me and some friends are going to come down and spend a couple days at port aransas for spring break, a few of us are big outdoors ppl and want to spend a large portion of our time fishing. Now i fish quite a bit so im going to look for a set up of my own to buy before going down there the rest will be renting somewhere local (hopefully there are some places to do that?)

Sorry for the long post but hopefully you have a few minutes and dont get too tired to help a noob out haha


However i am brand new to saltwater fishing (I have ALWAYS wanted to do it and cant wait) We will be going on the Jetty and the horrace caldwell pier, at least that's the two places nearest to where we will be staying!

I have a few questions of course and i have always found forums to be the most helpful in these situations.

What kind of set up would you suggest for a beginner to saltwater, id like to buy my own set up and id like to keep it on the low cost side of things, I have seen some people say that you can get a freshwater set up and just keep it clean and wash it after and you would be fine if this is true what should i look for because i dont have anything near the size to get into some decent size fish (bigger than crappie and 2-5lb bass lol)

What gear do i need as in what size hooks are suggested, leaders, bait etc...

For fish id like to catch fish any fish i can, but i have ALWAYS wanted to catch a shark. it could be a 6 inch baby shark and it would make me smile lol so i would really like to catch one but i dont want to sacrifice catching other fish as well, i know redfish are a common catch, would i catch those on the same kind of set ups as shark? also what about rays reeling one of those in would be pretty cool. Im also a catch and release guy, we may catch a couple and take to the pier restaurant and get cooked but 99% of the fish i ever catch i get the hook and put them back in the water (after a picture of course)

We also will do some night fishing as well, what times are best for certain fish, i figured a early start around 3-4 might be good for some shark but i base that off of some reason in my head haha

What would you suggest catching for some dinner one evening? How would you get it cooked? We are all noobs at this but im not a noob to fishing just to anything saltwater haha[/u]

[Gnava3]

First of all.. welcome to the site

I caught a black drum on a abu garcia ambassador 5500c3 and it handled well I have 50 lb test braided line on an agility shakespear rod. I picked up a double drop rig in cos way and I use either a 3 oz pyramid or a 3 oz tear drop. I use red 7/0 circle hooks.

I used dead shrimp and fishbites... ive also used sealice

My drums I caught between the 1900 and 2100 hour time frame.

Good food? Flounder lol... my lil bro caught one and I ate it... dang that was delicious. Lol

[MakoJJ]

Welcome! Go to the search function on this board and you can find LOTS of good info about your questions.
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JJ

[kweber]

most of your bass stuff is nearly identical to what is used for bay fishing...
if you have a heavier catfish set-up, that'll handle 99% of what you may hook from shore or pier.
the magic water temp is 70... little cool now,but the black drum start early in the channels. things really start up w/ warmer water...especially night fishing under lights.
Charlies Pasture pier and the two others on the gulf side of the ferry can produce trout at night, but most are undersize.
sharks can be caught from the jetties and HC pier... cut whiting or mullet are good baits for them...fish for them about the same as catfish...
also, (I really don't like to harp on this, but I feel obligated) never leave anything valuble in the back of a pickup and be more than 50ft away...
one more thing... Port Aransas is a zoo during spring break... especially Texas week.. expect long lines at the ferry and a lot of traffic in town and on the beach. before and after SB are much better options.
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the creepy uncle that scares the kids....

[PatriotP74]

[AZ_squid]

In response to spinning or baitcaster if I was you I'd probably go with a spinning setup. Just because the wind out here in the spring can be crazy and with a baitcaster it can be difficult casting into it or even crosswind casts can be a pain. I use 12 pound mono or 20 pound braid on my setups. The thinner diameter helps hold more line but you can get broken off if you hook into something big with shoulders on it. The Main thing is look for a reel with a good drag and enough capacity to handle a couple good runs. Good luck, hope you guys get into some fish.
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It's not the destination, the journey is everything.

[Blazin Cajun]

There is always good advice here on the forum and plenty of people to offer good information. Sounds like you have a great plan...but along with some great fishing always be prepared for staying out on the water if you have to. May I suggest you also invest in a few flares just in case you just never know.
There are always friendly and helpful people out on the water....hope you all hit on some good fishing and be safe.
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Life ain't right...until your fishing!!!

[ceejkay]

my first inshore set up was a penn fierce 3000 with a 7ft inshore select ugly stick. i put some 20lb braid on it and have not found anything that would make me nervous. the reels can be had at walmart for under 60$. its still my go to inshore rod/reel. i like them so much that i have a 3k,4k,5k,and 6k. the smaller are for inshore and larger are for offshore. i have beat the hell out of everyone of them and each one works great.
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If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.

[ironmanstan]

Welcome to the board. If I was coming to Port A. for spring break I would have a hard time fishing. That would be like going to Vegas and saying I'm not going to gamble or drink, or strain my eyes from looking. Have a good time hope ya catch something.
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I LIKE MINE FRIED.

[ReelBIGfish]

The penn 309 is a fine reel for near shore but not the easiest to cast. I like them on my boat for snapper. I have a penn battle 6500 lined with 40# braid and it will handle most anything except big sharks. Caught a couple small ones in November with it with no problems. It (the combo) was less than 200 out the door with line. Smooth casting and easy to maintain. If you're surf fishing there are 10'+ combo's at just about any store with sporting goods that will get you through a week for less than 100 dollars, depends on what you want. It will probably be easiest to buy bait.......

[Matt]

x2 on what pretty much everyone else has already said. I live in Port A, and it's a mess during Spring Break. Last year was absolutely bat s**t crazy. I imagine it will be about the same (if not worse) this year.

If you need bait/tackle while you're here, Port A Outfitters has just about anything you'll need. They're friendly, and will help you buy the right stuff and answer questions.

The South jetty is a mess during SB, so is the pier. You might try the Fish Pass jetties...I avoid the beach during that time for the most part, but it may be quieter than the other options.
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I'd rather be fishing

[TheDude]

Welcome aboard.

As far as fishing goes in spring break, it will be tough to beat the crowds but since you want to fish i would stick to the jetties.

For tackle I would do a cheap 4000 series spinning reel with a 7ft rod. You can buy a shimano sienna from academy for like $29. For line i would use 20lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader and a circle hook.

Sheepshead shoul be thick in the jetties during spring break so all you gotta do is free-line your live shrimp close to the rocks or you can use a popping cork as well.

Hope this helps
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Work is for people who dont know how to fish!

[PatriotP74]

I am already starting to enjoy this forum, so many responses already!

Sounds like a spinning set up will be best, so settled on that, also i think i want to run braided line, so 20lb test probably or should i go lighter? (to me the stronger the better in case you hook into a nice fish) What kind of capacity am i looking for as well, 100 200 300 yards?

Ill be getting bait from Port A Outfitters it sounds like as well! Whats the best bait to go with mullet? also any quick links to how to rig them up on the hook?

Sounds like the place will be packed haha, here is where another thought for me comes in, what about night fishing? either evening into the early morning or early morning into the late morning, meaning like 8pm or so till 1-2am or 3am to 6-10am i know fishing for cats night time seems to yield very nice results but im not sure on the salt! I know the pier there has lights, but personally going out on the jetty at night just sounds more fun haha

As i have said before id love to hook into some sharks, but also i see refish and black drum are common catches, are fishing for these fish the same way id fish for shark?

Also ive seen where some people have caught rays.... not sure if this is looked upon as a cool fish to catch but i wouldnt mind hooking into one of those as well! Whats the method for these?

Sorry for so many questions i just want to get there and know what im doing haha only have a couple days so want to make the most out of it!

[kweber]

acces rd 2 (I think) about 10 mi below PA will dump ya away from most of the beach partiers (good or bad depending on what yer agenda is...)
march is a little cold for most sharks except sandbar shark.. rays, too, but the Gulf always has a surprise.
squid (cheap) will catch rays, gafftops and of course, hardhead catfish...(you'll learn to hate them soon enough... don't let'em fin ya...)
shuffle your feet while in the water (step down on a stingray and your done for the day or even more) the stingray shuffle kicks them away.
double drop tourist leaders and a 1-2 oz weight w/ dead shrimp, squid, convience store frozen mullet will usually get ya a bite... 2/0 or larger circle hooks...
if the seaweed is thick and constantly wads up your rig... go find a party...
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the creepy uncle that scares the kids....

[kweber]

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/cwcs/pdf/Kingfish.pdf
these are really good fried, redfish/blackdrum little cousin...
best if over 12-14in.
they save many surf trips and dead shrimp, and/or fishbites combo works well...
also BTW if it is warm and clean surf, pompano are arguably the best surf fish...
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the creepy uncle that scares the kids....